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The Djinn Kingdom #1
Pirate's Vengeance
Pillage...Plunder...Survive
"A wild and fun ride with pirates! Danger, fun, magic, and a touch of romance"
The tattooed pirate jumped onto the side of the ship and held tight to the rigging. "Gents," he smiled. "Ye know what to do." With a maniacal laugh he leapt across the gap between ships until joining his captain on deck. Two enormous men with blackened teeth faced the captured crew.
"Ye needs be vetted to join the crew of Smythe. Any deemed unworthy, or cowardly will fly to the Below. Boys, line 'em up." It was time to join the world of sky pirates, or die.
Launi Kingdom is built on floating islands, full of wonderful adventures for eighteen year-old Nova. But when her father is kidnapped by sky pirates, her carefree days are over.
Armed with her father's leather bag, an old pirate seal, and a mysterious jeweled dagger found in the wall of her home, Nova sets out disguised as a boy to find the legendary Captain Phoenix. Only a man such as him could bargain for her father's safe return.
But before she can reach Captain Phoenix her ship is attacked by pirates, and Nova is forced to join the crew or die. Now she must survive the riotous crew for her father's sake. Soon she finds there is something more to the jeweled dagger⸺ and herself. Something dangerous.
Nova must unravel her family's secrets before the dark power overtakes her, or her father will be lost forever and she'll become what she fears most. A pirate.
Book 2 Coming May 2017
"A wild and fun ride with pirates! Danger, fun, magic, and a touch of romance"
The tattooed pirate jumped onto the side of the ship and held tight to the rigging. "Gents," he smiled. "Ye know what to do." With a maniacal laugh he leapt across the gap between ships until joining his captain on deck. Two enormous men with blackened teeth faced the captured crew.
"Ye needs be vetted to join the crew of Smythe. Any deemed unworthy, or cowardly will fly to the Below. Boys, line 'em up." It was time to join the world of sky pirates, or die.
Launi Kingdom is built on floating islands, full of wonderful adventures for eighteen year-old Nova. But when her father is kidnapped by sky pirates, her carefree days are over.
Armed with her father's leather bag, an old pirate seal, and a mysterious jeweled dagger found in the wall of her home, Nova sets out disguised as a boy to find the legendary Captain Phoenix. Only a man such as him could bargain for her father's safe return.
But before she can reach Captain Phoenix her ship is attacked by pirates, and Nova is forced to join the crew or die. Now she must survive the riotous crew for her father's sake. Soon she finds there is something more to the jeweled dagger⸺ and herself. Something dangerous.
Nova must unravel her family's secrets before the dark power overtakes her, or her father will be lost forever and she'll become what she fears most. A pirate.
Book 2 Coming May 2017
300 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2017
259 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Andrews
69 books7,182 followersWriting is a beautiful thing.
I consider myself blessed I'm able to do this for a living. I live for fantasy books as a reader and author. I adore books like An Ember in the Ashes, The Night Angel Trilogy, Harry Potter, The Great Library series...I could go on.
Before I write I have four young humans I keep alive and love them to the stars and back again. I live in Utah with my sexy husband, the kiddos, two paranoid dogs, and a sinister cat. Between finishing a second degree, running a business, and eating too much chocolate, I love writing early in the morning when no one is awake. If you can't tell, I basically function on caffeine.
I consider myself blessed I'm able to do this for a living. I live for fantasy books as a reader and author. I adore books like An Ember in the Ashes, The Night Angel Trilogy, Harry Potter, The Great Library series...I could go on.
Before I write I have four young humans I keep alive and love them to the stars and back again. I live in Utah with my sexy husband, the kiddos, two paranoid dogs, and a sinister cat. Between finishing a second degree, running a business, and eating too much chocolate, I love writing early in the morning when no one is awake. If you can't tell, I basically function on caffeine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 14, 2017
A wild and fun ride with pirates! Danger, fun, magic, and a touch of romance.
Pirate's Vengeance (The Djinn Kingdom book 1) by LJ Andrews is a fun pirate fantasy novel. A girl tries to save her father after he is abducted. She believes if she finds the most feared and notorious pirate, he will help her because she found a note she believes it implies it came from him. She also finds a dagger with jewels that gives her special powers. Now she has to pretend to be a male, jump a ship and find a feared pirate. No problem. I really liked it but it ended abruptly. I was given this book to read and the review is not an obligation.
Pirate's Vengeance (The Djinn Kingdom book 1) by LJ Andrews is a fun pirate fantasy novel. A girl tries to save her father after he is abducted. She believes if she finds the most feared and notorious pirate, he will help her because she found a note she believes it implies it came from him. She also finds a dagger with jewels that gives her special powers. Now she has to pretend to be a male, jump a ship and find a feared pirate. No problem. I really liked it but it ended abruptly. I was given this book to read and the review is not an obligation.
October 18, 2017
Pirate's Vengeance by LJ Andrews is the first book in her Djinn Kingdom series. It is written in third-person and is from Nova's point-of-view.
This is a fun young adult steampunk adventure about a young woman who takes it upon herself to rescue her father who has been kidnapped by pirates. The book really picks up around chapter four and ends with a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more.
I was given a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fun young adult steampunk adventure about a young woman who takes it upon herself to rescue her father who has been kidnapped by pirates. The book really picks up around chapter four and ends with a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more.
I was given a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2017
I don't have enough good things to say about this book or rather too much depending on how you look at it. lol This is the first book I have read by this author and I am hooked.
Pirate's Vengeance is full of adventure, danger, friendship, loss and betrayal. Everything you could want in a book. The characters are well developed and I liked the story line.
My only suggestion when reading this book is not to start it before you go to bed because you won't be going to sleep soon. It is definitely a page turner.
I can't wait for another in the series.
Pirate's Vengeance is full of adventure, danger, friendship, loss and betrayal. Everything you could want in a book. The characters are well developed and I liked the story line.
My only suggestion when reading this book is not to start it before you go to bed because you won't be going to sleep soon. It is definitely a page turner.
I can't wait for another in the series.
March 20, 2017
This is a fast fun read set in a fantasy world, there are pirates (obviously!) and monsters and magic mixed in with a bit of romance. The characters are fairly well developed, and the plot moves along at a fair speed.
The book is obviously the first in a series, and does finish with lots of questions unanswered, it is really the first episode in a series, this is one of my bugbears as I believe that books should be able to be read stand-alone with all important questions answered by the end of the book. I also found the book to be a bit juvenile for me, but then again I suspect that I am not the target audience (in fact i am several decades older than the target!).
Having said that, I think that for younger readers this will be a delight to read, and hopefully they won't mind the unanswered questions at the end.
I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and voluntarily wrote this review.
The book is obviously the first in a series, and does finish with lots of questions unanswered, it is really the first episode in a series, this is one of my bugbears as I believe that books should be able to be read stand-alone with all important questions answered by the end of the book. I also found the book to be a bit juvenile for me, but then again I suspect that I am not the target audience (in fact i am several decades older than the target!).
Having said that, I think that for younger readers this will be a delight to read, and hopefully they won't mind the unanswered questions at the end.
I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and voluntarily wrote this review.
June 19, 2017
A great cross between Steampunk and Pirates of the Carribean where ships are airborne and to fall off is to perish below! On her 18th birthday, Nova's world is turned on its ear, as pirates raid her home and kidnap her father. In the aftermath, she and her mother go to work in her'Uncle's bar' until she finds a pirate's map of a legendary Buccaneer! Disguised as a boy she sneaks aboard a prison transport Barque and falls 7nder attack by pirates and is impressed into their crew where she learn's the most important lesson about pirates....'There's no honour among thieves'.
A captivating tale of airships teamed with Pirates to create one of the most unique settings in fictions. A coming of age tale that takes place among islands in a sea of air-space The characters are somewhat predictable on the surface, but this a tale of deception and mystery and nothing is often as it seems. L. J. Andrews weaves a magnificent start to a series with adventure on the High (and I mean High) Seas, with magic, treachery and Pirates!!
A captivating tale of airships teamed with Pirates to create one of the most unique settings in fictions. A coming of age tale that takes place among islands in a sea of air-space The characters are somewhat predictable on the surface, but this a tale of deception and mystery and nothing is often as it seems. L. J. Andrews weaves a magnificent start to a series with adventure on the High (and I mean High) Seas, with magic, treachery and Pirates!!
March 14, 2017
I loved, loved this book. We begin with a normal family until daddy is kidnapped by pirates. Yes, I said pirates. The story starts getting really good when Nova (that's our heroine) runs away from home. She's looking for daddy. The only thing wrong with this book is the last page...it was the LAST page. I WANTED MORE.
October 17, 2017
Swashbuckling tale of the skies
Nova sets out to find her father and becomes embroiled in piracy, magic, violence and love. An interesting story of sailing the high "skies". Don't consider the science just enjoy the book. LJ Andrews has written a clean, gripping tale that is well worth the read. Excitement and mystery with an old world background. Well done.
Nova sets out to find her father and becomes embroiled in piracy, magic, violence and love. An interesting story of sailing the high "skies". Don't consider the science just enjoy the book. LJ Andrews has written a clean, gripping tale that is well worth the read. Excitement and mystery with an old world background. Well done.
March 19, 2017
A good read forall ages! Fun pirate adventure.
Quick, lighthearted read with a great plot and well written characters that will leave a smile on your face. Hopefully the start of a long series! I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Quick, lighthearted read with a great plot and well written characters that will leave a smile on your face. Hopefully the start of a long series! I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Did not finish
February 10, 2019DNF...very early
Too many adjectives and similes for my taste and I gave up at the first "She's not like other girls." I quit for stylistic and preference reasons, not quality. I didn't really read enough to judge that. But I wasn't super impressed with the little bit I read.
Too many adjectives and similes for my taste and I gave up at the first "She's not like other girls." I quit for stylistic and preference reasons, not quality. I didn't really read enough to judge that. But I wasn't super impressed with the little bit I read.
July 24, 2017
A fun original story
Well worth your time if you like original tributaries from a main pathway of good versus evil while innocence gets lost along the way.
Well worth your time if you like original tributaries from a main pathway of good versus evil while innocence gets lost along the way.
October 16, 2017
It is a great book to read
February 24, 2023
It was a very average book, even for YA. It starts out promisingly enough with some secrets and a missing parent, but then kind of bobbed along. Andrew's biggest flaw is that she leans far too heavily on tell-don't-show and weakens her writing by pairing unnecessary adverbs with verbs strong enough to stand on their own. For example: "she glared furiously" - glare already implies anger or some other negative emotion. There is no need to prop it up with "furiously" tacked on the end. A big part of the tell-don't-show is how the MC knows how everyone is feeling (or knows when they are confused). She always sees a look of surprise or anger or something on their face/in their eyes. As a side note, what is up with pirates calling Nova "female"? It is super jarring and makes me feel like she's on a ship full of incels, which, while not far from the truth it seems, seems inauthentic.
Nova also becomes kind of insufferable towards the end. In addition to being a pick-me/not-like-other-girls, she undergoes chronic mood swings towards the end. If she's not brooding about being better than everyone else, she's crying about the situation she's in. Granted part of this is related to the plot, which is way overplayed before you're probably supposed to know what's going on (in part because of too much telling, ie: "the DARK POWER"), but it gets tiresome. I applaud Andrews' for trying to make a purely good hero, but it feels cheesy and ingenuine.
The character development (and therein, the romance) is lacking. I'm not even sure what the point of introducing us to Nova's two "friends" was for, other than to have side characters in the beginning parts (which I think could have been skipped entirely and seen in pieces as a memory/flashback). I can't even remember their names. While I'm kind of interested to know if they ever pop back up, I probably won't find out. But it's not just the two random friends in the beginning. All the characters are pretty flat, and I couldn't tell you a thing about them (even if I gave a fig).
And this doesn't just apply to the side characters. Even after all the time I spend with the Nova (since the story is told from third person limited), I don't really know who she is or what she wants other than the surface level desire of finding her father. That's not quite enough for me and is too rudimentary and flat. The only character that is as rounded as Nova, or more, is Smythe. Smythe seems to have some real desires/goals and is complex about how he goes about them, but that's not saying much.
The "romance" was especially lacking. For seemingly no other reason than he's the first boy she spent any real time with, he saved her life, and he's handsome, Nova has feelings for Atlas. This seems to start with some weird flirting and touching hands. Again, with the tell-don't-show, after a few months have passed, they share a cabin and are super flirty and make googly eyes at each other, much to the disgust of others.
This is all pretty disappointing given that the world is actually kind of neat, and I was really interested in the world building by the end of the book. However, I don't think I'm going to continue. My version of the book was only 281 pages (with large font and margins. It probably could have been 2/3s the length with proper formatting), and it was a bit of a slog. The writing style just isn't for me, even if the story is kind of interesting.
Nova also becomes kind of insufferable towards the end. In addition to being a pick-me/not-like-other-girls, she undergoes chronic mood swings towards the end. If she's not brooding about being better than everyone else, she's crying about the situation she's in. Granted part of this is related to the plot, which is way overplayed before you're probably supposed to know what's going on (in part because of too much telling, ie: "the DARK POWER"), but it gets tiresome. I applaud Andrews' for trying to make a purely good hero, but it feels cheesy and ingenuine.
The character development (and therein, the romance) is lacking. I'm not even sure what the point of introducing us to Nova's two "friends" was for, other than to have side characters in the beginning parts (which I think could have been skipped entirely and seen in pieces as a memory/flashback). I can't even remember their names. While I'm kind of interested to know if they ever pop back up, I probably won't find out. But it's not just the two random friends in the beginning. All the characters are pretty flat, and I couldn't tell you a thing about them (even if I gave a fig).
And this doesn't just apply to the side characters. Even after all the time I spend with the Nova (since the story is told from third person limited), I don't really know who she is or what she wants other than the surface level desire of finding her father. That's not quite enough for me and is too rudimentary and flat. The only character that is as rounded as Nova, or more, is Smythe. Smythe seems to have some real desires/goals and is complex about how he goes about them, but that's not saying much.
The "romance" was especially lacking. For seemingly no other reason than he's the first boy she spent any real time with, he saved her life, and he's handsome, Nova has feelings for Atlas. This seems to start with some weird flirting and touching hands. Again, with the tell-don't-show, after a few months have passed, they share a cabin and are super flirty and make googly eyes at each other, much to the disgust of others.
This is all pretty disappointing given that the world is actually kind of neat, and I was really interested in the world building by the end of the book. However, I don't think I'm going to continue. My version of the book was only 281 pages (with large font and margins. It probably could have been 2/3s the length with proper formatting), and it was a bit of a slog. The writing style just isn't for me, even if the story is kind of interesting.
July 16, 2017
A different pirate Adventure! This one involves Flying Vessels, Floating Islands and and floating Debris (A Lot like Icebergs). The adventure starts in a Village that is Warm and Friendly. Nova Willock and her friend's are Island Jumping in a beautiful lake and waterfall(You will have to read this book to find out what this is!) Nova's dad is kidnapped by someone, her mother rushes her off to her Uncle Briggs, who has entertained her with Pirate Tales about Captain Phoenix. Her Mom has taken a strange box with her that intrigues Nova. As the story progresses Nova becomes convinced pirates kidnapped her Father. She takes stuff from her Mom's Box and Takes off to find and rescue her Dad. This is a very interesting and well written story. If you like adventure and excitement this book will please you. I have been purposely vague in this review so as not to spoil your Read.
This book is a good Read,
Enjoy it. Santa Mike
This book is a good Read,
Enjoy it. Santa Mike
December 15, 2025
I’ve read and enjoyed other books by this author, but this one is just too stupid. I forced myself to struggle through it, then finally DNF’d at 80%. When the FMC saw the Captain (who’d stayed on the ship when the rest of the crew partied on an island) on the way to her bunk, she thought to herself…”hmm, he never goes below deck”. She checks her rucksack and discovers that her jeweled dagger is missing—then goes on a quest to find the thief! This is when I gave up, knowing that the last idiotic 20% will end in a cliffhanger, which is too absurd to contemplate
June 27, 2017
This was an interesting story. I found myself wanting to find out what happened, how the conflict was going to be resolved. I was sadly disappointed to find out that there was no ending, that a second book was going to continue the story. I believe that author's should have to disclose in their blurb whether or not a book is a standalone, whether or not it contains an ending. In addition, if you are looking for romance in a story, don't look here.
March 20, 2017
This book rocks! With every page I read from author L.J. Andrews and her epic pirate world I was drawn in deeper. Well written, intricately developed characters you can invest heavily in and the story line with its intricate twists and surprises. I look forward to reading Pirate's Atlas and further books in the series.
November 5, 2017
Exciting new adventure
But be warned, it does end in the middle. We have no idea what happens next and although not a true cliffhanger, it's pretty darn close! Great story, interesting characters and plot, but I like a book to have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. There is one of those three lacking here. Otherwise, good read!
But be warned, it does end in the middle. We have no idea what happens next and although not a true cliffhanger, it's pretty darn close! Great story, interesting characters and plot, but I like a book to have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. There is one of those three lacking here. Otherwise, good read!
December 18, 2023
I wasn't sure about this book when I started it but it did intrigue me and while the formatting of the ebook copy I had made it difficult to read at times, the characters were interesting and the backstory pulled me on.
It felt a little slow in parts and I would have liked some more world-building but I think I may check out the sequel.
Rating: 3.5 stars
It felt a little slow in parts and I would have liked some more world-building but I think I may check out the sequel.
Rating: 3.5 stars
August 18, 2017
I loved the idea of the book but it just couldn't capture my attention. Perhaps it's targeted for a less cynical audience? I do know that some people just absolutely LOVE Pirate's Vengeance, it simply couldn't capture my attention.
January 9, 2018
Underwhelming
The story is fast paced but sadly predictable. Nova is a Jekyll and Hyde and it's hard to associate with her as a character. Overall I felt the story was rushed and more could have been done for the character development.
The story is fast paced but sadly predictable. Nova is a Jekyll and Hyde and it's hard to associate with her as a character. Overall I felt the story was rushed and more could have been done for the character development.
May 18, 2017
Ok
Well, I kept reading, hoping it would become more believable, but it just didn't quite get there for me. Potential is there,, skirting around the edges.
Well, I kept reading, hoping it would become more believable, but it just didn't quite get there for me. Potential is there,, skirting around the edges.
June 1, 2017
DNF @61%
I couldn't get into this one. And, it just was sort of boring for me. My hope of getting better was dashed and in the end I just didn't care. The characters were dull as well.
I couldn't get into this one. And, it just was sort of boring for me. My hope of getting better was dashed and in the end I just didn't care. The characters were dull as well.
June 2, 2017
Sky pirates and a quest for a mythical pirate captain, a teenage runaway searching for her father ... A heady tale of intrigue and danger.
November 11, 2017
Slow, but interesting once it got going.
January 30, 2018
Suitable for all readers.
It has suspense, pirates and so much more. Tragedy hits a blooming young girl and she decides she must remedy the situation. Setting her on a journey.
It has suspense, pirates and so much more. Tragedy hits a blooming young girl and she decides she must remedy the situation. Setting her on a journey.
July 5, 2018
It was a good start to the series and had great action scenes, it just didn't have as much character development as I would have liked.
April 28, 2018
3 stars. Shallow and short
September 20, 2020
3 1/2 stars. A fun pirate yarn with nice world-building and lots of things to still find out in this world.
February 24, 2025
I wanted to like this more, but it fell short.
March 20, 2017
What a fun YA read. Yes this is for the young in age or in heart. Loads of fun with great characters and an awesome adventure. When her life changes suddenly and nothing is what it seems nor are the people who she thought they were. She can't trust anyone or can she? We get to see the fun and young at heart thrills this author has in store, well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews